TOMS RIVER – People can be forgiven if they mistake the Hiawatha of poetic lore with the historic Native American who was credited with forming the Iroquois Confederation.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Song of Hiawatha” presented Hiawatha as a Native American female whose sole connection to the historical figure is a common name.

The historic Hiawatha lived about 500 years ago in the area that later became New York. Along with the Prophet Daganawida, The Great Peacemaker, he created a constitution known as the Great Law of Peace that enabled the Iroquois peoples to become one of the strongest forces during America’s Colonial period.

Key to Hiawatha’s success in uniting the groups is the lesson of forgiveness.

Two branches of the Ocean County Library will present a children’s program (ages 5 to 12) based on the early life of the Iroquois hero.

Hiawatha is portrayed in the program as a curious youngster who decides to disobey his grandmother and seek a vision alone in the forest. There he finds a sacred cave and enters a magical world full of talking animals and fantastic spirits. There he also meets The Peacemaker, a wise Mohawk, who teaches him a wonderful lesson.

The Catskill Puppet Theatre uses full sets, exquisitely crafted puppets and Native American flute and drum recordings to tell how Hiawatha, with help from his friends Bear and Turtle, discovers the pathway he must follow to become a great leader.

“Hiawatha” will be presented at the Long Beach Island branch Friday July 20 at 11 a.m. and later at the Lakewood branch at 3 p.m.

The programs are sponsored in part with funding from an OceanFirst Foundation Arts and Cultural Grant and the Ocean County Library Foundation.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register go to the Web site www.theoceancountylibrary.org or telephone (732) 349-6200 or (609) 971-0514. Registration for the LBI program begins July 6 and for the Lakewood program July 7.

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Library will partner with the Ocean County Health Department to offer library customers a way to take care of their overdue library charges and help the community through the Food for Fines program.

The library will accept non-perishable, non-expired food during the week of July 9th through the 15th in exchange for 50 cents per item, up to a total of $20, towards removing the customer’s overdue fines.

Credit goes towards overdue items only and will not be applied towards collection replacement fees.

Customers who do not have fines may also make donations of non-perishable food items at any Ocean County Library location.

Food collected during the Food for Fines program will be donated to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Suggested food items include canned food, pasta, cereal and rice. Baby food and formula will not be accepted.

“Summer is the time when we see a significant drop in food donations,” said Linda Keenan, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Director of Development.

The library has conducted food drives in the past. In 2009 the library collected more than two tons of food.

“We hope to collect more than that this year,” said Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn.

“The Food for Fines program is a great opportunity to help our less fortunate neighbors with our Ocean County Library turning a negative situation into a helping, positive experience,” said Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari.

“This program also provides an opportunity to focus public attention on the need to support the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. I encourage those who return their books on time to make contributions as well,” he said.

Vicari also serves as the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders liaison to the library.

“Food for Fines gives someone the opportunity to pay their fine,” said Ocean County Health Department Public Information Officer Leslie Terjesen, “but more importantly, helps to put food on someone’s table.”

This July, the Ocean County Library will host a pair of exciting exhibits which capture the creative visions of two very individual artists.

“The Batik Story” in the Toms River Branch’s McConnell Gallery showcases the batik paintings of Florence Zdanowitz, a local artist whose work has won awards in both county and state art competitions. “Thumbnails”, a series of miniature photographs by Katie Gatto, invites Second Floor Gallery visitors to guess the true identity of each image’s abstract subject.

Each of the July exhibits offers patrons an exciting opportunity to meet the artists. Katie Gatto will hold an open reception in the Second Floor Gallery on Thursday, July 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. On Saturday, July 7th, Florence Zdanowitz will demonstrate the technique of batik painting in the Atrium at 1:00 pm, followed by a reception in McConnell Gallery. Light refreshments will be served at both artists’ events.

These exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library at (732)349-6200 xt. 5112, or visit our website at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Seniors, visit the Ocean County Library Manchester branch on Tuesday, July 17 at 2:00 pm to learn how you can overcome balance problems associated with conditions such as arthritis and ear disease that affect many older people. Ron Hyland, the Fitness Director for the Pines at Whiting will show you simple exercises and techniques that you can use both at home and when you’re out and about, to help you maintain and strengthen your equilibrium. Mr. Hyland claims that many people are able to rely less on canes and walkers because of these methods.

Cattus Island presenter, Crystal, skillfully built the suspense over the contents of her two carrier cases. Some audience members waited with trepidation to see what she had brought with her in her two carrier bases. However, by thorough explanation and patient handling, all were able to enjoy the viewing of her reptile collection without anxiety. Although actual handling or touching of these creatures wasn’t allowed, by the end of this program, true respect and a longing for further knowledge was the end result.

The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library will be showing the feature film Jaws on Saturday, July 14th at 2:00 PM. When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and a fisherman set out to stop it. This film isr ated PG.

In addition, the family movie Born to be Wild is scheduled for Saturday, June 30th at 2:00 PM. This is a nature documentary filmed in Africa and Borneo and is rated G.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. These movies are free and open to the public. Call the branch for specific information: (609) 597-3381, or visit our website at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org There is no need to register.